How TEA can help Houston ISD improve
Regarding “Dutton: My amendment lets TEA take over HISD. I have no regrets.” (March 13): As a Houston ISD retired middle school math teacher, I learned a few things about what makes a good school district.
First, we need strong and dedicated school board members. Second, we need an experienced and well-rounded superintendent who is good at public speaking and shows leadership skills working with the school principals. Third, the principal is the key to a good school. Principals should walk the halls to see what is going on in each of the classrooms.
The principals should do unannounced visits to classrooms, which will put the teachers and students on notice that they may be observed at any moment. This will reduce discipline problems and improve the learning environment. The parents should also get involved by helping their children and volunteering for important projects. I hope HISD comes out of this stronger and better.
Jimmy Dunne, Houston
Regarding “With the TEA takeover official, here’s how other Texas school districts’ ratings compare to HISD,” (March 16): It would seem to be a case of “too much too late.”
If the true intention of the takeover is improvement, then TEA is simply too late. Looking at the scores, one would judge HISD based on where it is and maybe even give a “little bump” for moving up. With a track record, or grade, like TEA has with past takeovers, it is hard to escape the facts that TEA has a pretty bad history of failing in their job. The old adage of the “pot calling the kettle black” comes to mind.
Perhaps TEA leadership should walk back their mistake and instead of a takeover, Commissioner Mike Morath should congratulate Superintendent Millard House II for a great start and ask how TEA can help HISD handle the toughest job in education in Texas.
With over 80 percent of our students being underprivileged, maybe we could add some new books and some additional budget to support new and innovative programs that help educate kids. As a former mentor in the “Real Men Read” program with HISD for several years, I understand firsthand what it takes. Spend a few hours helping teachers teach and kids learn instead of criticizing the honest effort and you will change your heart as well as your perspective.
Teachers need our help, not silly political stunts like this takeover. Call it like it is, it’s harmful and it goes against everything that every teacher is trying to do, which is to teach. Thank a teacher today if you can read or write or know someone who can. Be grateful for every sacrifice teachers make. Fix the funding problems … NOW. You want to defund something? How about the TEA? Send that budget to schools and let real educators have access to it.
I am grateful for my public school education and I am so appreciative of the sacrifices people like my mother made as a teacher to help America become a better place to live. Teachers truly are the front line in the war against illiteracy, poverty and inequity.
Bill Turney, Houston
If the history of state takeovers of failing public schools is any guide, Houston schools will not fare any better. New Jersey serves as a prime case in point, although similar outcomes were seen in California and New York.
In 1989, New Jersey took control of public schools in Jersey City, then those in Paterson in 1991 and finally those in Newark in 1995. Despite initial high hopes, academic performances in all three districts did not improve notably after years of state control.
Walt Gardner, Los Angeles